Cross channel delivery system and method

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a cross channel fulfillment system that enables consumers to purchase and receive items using different transmission mediums. The fulfillment system is a centralized distribution system that maintains information relating to consumers and has access to multiple transmission mediums. Specifically, the fulfillment system contains a database of consumer contact information relating to each transmission medium. The fulfillment system uses a remote device to provide information to consumers. The remote device transmits and receives broadcast messages including information relating to purchasable items. The fulfillment system may deliver a purchased item to the consumer using a medium different from that used to purchase the item.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/991,863, filed on Nov. 19, 2004 (status pending), which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/547,846, filed onApr. 12, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,963), which are incorporatedherein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to data processing systems and, moreparticularly, to electronic delivery systems.

2. Description of the Related Art

The world is quickly becoming wired. Nearly all households andbusinesses both have telephone and cable access. Now, more that ever,consumers may choose from a plurality of transmission mediums to accessthe Internet, such as cable, telephone, satellite, or some other highspeed connection. As more consumers gain access to the Internet though amultitude of available transmission mediums, things previously done inthe real world are now available through the Internet using at least oneof the transmission mediums.

Probably the most commercialized use of the Internet is the World WideWeb. Every day, more people gain access to the Web, and every day,people are using the Web to shop online. Online shopping provides alevel of convenience consumers want, need and will soon demand.Electronic commerce or “e-commerce” is the term often used to refer, atleast in part, to online shopping on the Web.

With the explosive growth of online shopping on the Internet, the needfor online delivery of digital items has also considerably grown. Onlinedelivery refers to delivery of electronic items using an electronicformat in any transmission medium. For example, a book, movie, or even asingle track from a CD may be delivered to a consumer as a digital item.Consumers desire these digital items delivered immediately in a formatsuitable for viewing or playback using a consumer device, such as acomputer. With the number of online stores that provide digital deliverygrowing exponentially every year, consumer devices capable of ordering,receiving, and viewing have also become more prevalent.

For example, WebTV, a popular Internet consumer device, is capable ofordering, and receiving digital items using more than one transmissionmedium. That is, the WebTV device provides access to the Internet aswell as access to a conventional TV. Although the WebTV device enablesconsumers to use multiple transmission mediums using the same device, itdoes so at the expense of limited upgradeability. A consumer cannotspecify a new transmission medium for delivery, unless the WebTV devicesupports the transmission medium. Even more so, any cross coupling oftransmission mediums is provided at the WebTV device. And, in mostinstances, when shopping online using the WebTV device, the consumerinitiates the shopping session by visiting a site. Only at that time,may the consumer then select an item to purchase, and then have the itemdelivered to the WebTV device.

Therefore, there is a need for a system capable of centralizing thecross coupling of transmission mediums with limited configurationrequirements at a consumer's location. Such a system not only permits aconsumer to shop online using one transmission medium and receive apurchased item using a different transmission medium, but also itpermits easy upgrades, or the addition of new transmission mediumswithout having to modify any consumer device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide across channel fulfillment system that enables consumers to purchase andreceive items using different transmission mediums. The fulfillmentsystem is a centralized distribution system that maintains informationrelating to consumers and has access to multiple transmission mediums.Specifically, the fulfillment system contains a database of consumercontact information relating to each transmission medium. Thefulfillment system uses a remote device to provide information toconsumers. The remote device transmits and receives broadcast messagesincluding information relating to purchasable items. The fulfillmentsystem may deliver a purchased item to the consumer using a mediumdifferent from that used to purchase the item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate an implementation of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theadvantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the architecture of a network ina manner consistent with the principle of the present invention;

FIG. 2A depicts a more detailed diagram of the remote device depicted inFIG. 1;

FIG. 2B depicts a more detailed diagram of the client device depicted inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a more detailed diagram of the fulfillment systemdepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a fulfillment system and its relationship to adatabase in a manner consistent with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart of the steps performed by the fulfillmentsystem of FIG. 1 in a manner consistent with the principles of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of the steps performed by remote device ofFIG. 1 in a manner consistent with the principles of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the invention refers to theaccompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplaryimplementations, other implementations are possible, and changes may bemade to the implementations described without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. The following detailed description does notlimit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined bythe appended claims. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers willbe used throughout the drawings and the following description to referto the same or like parts.

Overview

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide across channel fulfillment and delivery system that transmits andreceives information relating to purchasable items to and from consumersusing multiple transmission mediums. Such methods and systems enableconsumers to automatically and electronically receive purchased itemsfrom the fulfillment system using a different medium than used topurchase the items.

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention also provideconsumers an interface associated with a remote device to facilitatepurchasing purchasable items. A consumer may select a displayed item onthe consumer interface to purchase. For example, a consumer may selectdigital songs or software to be delivered. A client device, capable ofreceiving and using the items, receives the purchasable items.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the architecture of a cross channelfulfillment system 100 in a manner consistent with the principles of thepresent invention. System 100 contains a remote device 102, fulfillmentsystem 104, and a client device 106. Remote device 102 enables consumersto view purchasable items using a video display, such as a televisionmonitor, and select purchasable items using an input device, such as aninfrared controller. Remote device 102, placed at a consumer location,receives broadcast messages from fulfillment system 104 and transmitspurchase instructions to fulfillment system 104 using any broadcastmedium, such as radio waves. A purchase instruction may includeinformation, such as purchase information (e.g., PIN number, creditcards), delivery information (e.g., e-mail address), and/or informationidentifying the items to purchase (e.g., SKU). The purchase information,along with a remote device identification, is transmitted to fulfillmentsystem 104 for processing. Remote device 102 also contains a cachingmechanism for storing recently received broadcast messages in case theconsumer does not initially see or hear the broadcast message. Inaddition remote device 102 may transmit the purchase informationrealtime, periodically on a scheduled basis, or when polled byfulfillment system 104.

When a purchase instruction is received at fulfillment system 104, thesystem determines if the instruction is valid. To do so, the systemlocates, in various connected databases, records associated with theconsumer. The records may include a remote device identification, aconsumer identification, a PIN number, an e-mail address, and a paymentidentifier. System 104 cross references the remote device identificationwith the delivery information and payment information.

If the delivery information or payment information is incomplete orfaulty, system 104 transmits a message to remote device 102 prompting avalid completion. Otherwise, the order is considered valid, and the itemmay be electronically sent to the consumer in a medium specified by theconsumer when placing the order (e.g., e-mail delivery).

The cross channel fulfillment system provides a number of benefits overtraditional electronic ordering systems. First, the fulfillment systembroadcasts information corresponding to purchasable items to a pluralityof consumers. This simple approach enables the fulfillment system tomake many offers to many consumers at the same time. Unlike traditionaldelivery systems where the consumer initiates the shopping session, thefulfillment system provides information relating to purchasable items toconsumers without any consumer interaction. Moreover, by broadcastingthe information, a consumer may first see (or listen) to the purchasableitem before deciding whether to purchase it. That is, since the remotedevice stores the broadcasted information for a period of time (e.g., incache) after the broadcast, a consumer unable to initially view thebroadcast may still purchase the items. Second, the system managesmultiple transmission mediums from a centralized location (e.g.,Internet, cable, satellite). Any updates to the remote devices, or newtransmission mediums for delivery are easily implemented at thecentralized location instead of having to individually upgrade eachremote device that converges multiple transmission mediums. Acentralized database maintains all transmission mediums, including whichconsumers may use which mediums for delivery. Third, the fulfillmentsystem easily implements non-real time back channel delivery to aconsumer's location. That is, if there is excessive load at the time aconsumer transmits a purchase instruction to the fulfillment system, thesystem delivers the purchased items at a later time. Since the deliverymay be on a transmission medium different from the medium used to orderthe item, the fulfillment system can take advantage of the non-real timefulfillment.

Finally, the fulfillment system links consumer records in a centralizedlocation. This helps minimize outstanding consumer records for varioustransmission mediums since the system maintains a database that can beused to cross reference the transmission mediums.

System Architecture and Operation

FIG. 2A depicts a more detailed diagram of remote device 102, whichcontains a memory 202, a secondary storage device 210, a CPU 220, aninput device 230, a video display 240, and a transmission component 250.Memory 202 contains device software 204 that enables a consumer to sendinstructions to fulfillment system 104. An instruction may be a requestto purchase digital items, such as the digital version of books ormusic. Secondary storage device 210 contains unique identificationinformation that identifies remote device 102, such as an identificationnumber and other information identifying the consumer. Transmissioncomponent 250 communicates with fulfillment system 104 by receivingbroadcast messages and sending purchase instructions. For example,transmission component 250 may communicate with fulfillment system 104using radio waves. One skilled in the art will appreciate that remotedevice 102 may be composed of separate components, such as a set-box fora television, decoder device, and a storage device (e.g., external harddrive, or network storage device).

FIG. 2B depicts a more detailed diagram of a client device 106, whichcontains a memory 260, a secondary storage device 270, a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 280, an input device 290, and a video display 292.Memory 260 includes a receiver program 262 that allows a consumer toreceive digital items in a different transmission medium different fromthe transmission medium used for the broadcast message. For example, areceiver program 262 may be an e-mail program, such as the Eudora e-mailclient, from Eudora.

As shown in FIG. 3, fulfillment system 104 includes a memory 320, asecondary storage device 330, a CPU 340, an input device 350, a videodisplay 360, and a transmission component 370. Memory 320 includes ordersoftware 322 and clearing house software 324. Order software 322determines whether the consumer is authorized to purchase thepurchasable item. Clearinghouse software 324 cross references remotedevice identifications with consumer delivery information as well aspayment information. Clearinghouse software also transmits purchasableitems to client device 106. Secondary storage device 330 contains adatabase 332 that correlates information associated with each consumer,such as remote device 102 information and client device 106 information,further described below. Transmission component 370 transmits broadcastmessages to and receives purchase instructions from a remote device 102.

As shown in FIG. 4, database 332 contains a catalog information table402 and a consumer information table 404. Catalog information table 402contains information associated with all purchasable items, such as aunique identification number, purchasable item name, and a digitalrepresentation of the purchasable item Consumer information table 404contains consumer information corresponding to consumers able topurchase items. For example, a consumer may be able to purchase items ifthe consumer has previously registered with fulfillment system 104. Insuch a case, consumer information table 404 may indicate so. A consumermay register with fulfillment system 104 by submitting billing, payment,and identification information (e.g., PIN). A record 412 includes foreach consumer: a consumer identification; a PIN; a remote deviceidentification; delivery information (e.g., e-mail address); and apayment information (e.g., credit card) One skilled in the art willappreciate that tables 402, 404 may contain additional information, andmay be located in multiple databases. For example, an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) may contain information relating to the deliveryinformation, whereas a cable operator may contain information relatingto payment information and consumer information.

FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart of the steps performed by fulfillment system104. First, fulfillment system 104 transmits a broadcast messageidentifying purchasable items to a remote device 102 (step 502).Fulfillment system 104 uses transmission component 370 to communicatewith remote device 102. In response, if a consumer purchases an item,fulfillment system 104 receives a purchase instruction (step 504). Theinstruction may include a remote device 102 identification, a consumerPIN, a list of items purchased by the consumer, and a deliveryinstruction. The instruction may be sent in a transmission mediumsimilar to the broadcast in step 502.

Once fulfillment system 104 receives the instruction, fulfillment system104 then accesses database 332 to verify the purchase instruction (step506). Fulfillment system 104 locates a record 412 that corresponds tothe consumer identification. Fulfillment system 104 checks if consumersupplied PIN corresponds to the PIN listed in record 412 (step 508). Ifthe PINs do not match, or if there is other incomplete information(e.g., missing PIN, payment information, or items) fulfillment system104 may transmit a message to remote device 102 requestingreverification and/or updated information (step 510). However, if thePINs match, fulfillment system 104 first accounts for the purchase (step512). To account for the purchase, fulfillment system 104 may perform abulling function, such as charging the consumer's credit card, orcreating a billing record to send to the consumer.

Once the purchase is accounted for, order software 322 may notifyclearinghouse software 324 to transmit the item to the consumer usingthe delivery method indicated in the purchase instruction (step 514).The notification may contain an item identification and a consumeridentification. In most instances, the delivery method will be atransmission medium different from the transmission medium used for thebroadcast message. Once clearinghouse software 324 receives thenotification, clearinghouse software 324 may access database 332 tolocate a delivery address and transmits the item to client device 106(step 516).

FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of the steps performed by remote device 102.First, remote device 102 receives a broadcast message from fulfillmentsystem 104 (step 602). The broadcast message contains informationidentifying a purchasable item as well as the purchasable item itself.For example, in the case of music, the broadcast message may include asingle track from a CD as well as the CD identification (e.g., SKUnumber). This way, the consumer may first listen to the CD and, if theconsumer decides to purchase the CD, may do so by using the CDidentification to create a purchase instruction. If however, theconsumer does not immediately access remote device 102, the broadcastmessage may be stored for a predetermined period of time in memory 202of remote device 102. This way, the consumer may access the broadcastmessage at a later period.

If the consumer decides to purchase the purchasable item, remote device102 transmits a response to the broadcast message to fulfillment server104, as described above. Once received at fulfillment server 104, remotedevice 102 may display the purchasable item on video display 260 (step604). For example, the broadcast message may be an audio clip from a CD,or a textual message describing a digital book. The message may bestored in secondary storage device 210 so that the consumer may laterpurchase a purchasable item. If the consumer purchases an item, remotedevice 102 receives the consumer's PIN number, and an itemidentification (step 606). Next, remote device 102 transmits theconsumer information, identification of the selected item to bepurchased, and remote device 102 identification information as apurchase instruction to fulfillment system 104 (step 608). In doing so,fulfillment system 104 may then determine if the purchase instruction iscomplete and complete the purchase.

CONCLUSION

As explained, systems consistent with the present invention overcome theshortcomings of existing systems by providing a cross channelfulfillment system that enables consumers to purchase and receive itemsusing different transmission mediums.

Although aspects of the present invention are described as being storedin memory, one skilled in the art will appreciate that these aspects maybe stored on or read from other computer readable media, such assecondary storage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks, and CD-ROM; acarrier wave received from a network like the Internet; or other formsof ROM or RAM. Additionally, although specific components and programsof various computers and various servers have been described, oneskilled in the art will appreciate that these may contain additional ordifferent components or programs.

The foregoing description of an implementation of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notexhaustive and does not limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teachings or may be acquired from practicing of the invention. Forexample, the described implementation includes software but the presentinvention may be implemented as a combination of hardware and softwareor in hardware alone. The invention may be implemented with bothobject-oriented and non-object-oriented programming systems.

1. A method, comprising: simultaneously transmitting information to twoor more remote devices, the information identifying an item availablefor acquisition, wherein at least one of the two or more remote devicesis operable to (i) present information about the item to a user of saidat least one remote device, (ii) receive from the user input indicatingthe user's desire to acquire the item, and (iii) transmit a message to asystem remote from said at least one remote device after receiving theinput from the user; receiving the transmitted message; processing, atthe remote system, the message; and as a result of processing themessage, transmitting, via a communications network, a file containingthe item from the remote system to a device that is separate from saidremote device that transmitted the message to the remote system, whereinsaid separate device is operable to (i) receive the transmitted file and(ii) store the file in a storage unit of said separate deviceautomatically in response to receiving the file.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the message comprises a device identifier identifying saidremote device and said step of processing the message comprises usingsaid device identifier to retrieve a previously stored delivery address,which delivery address is associated with the device identifier, and thestep of transmitting the file to the separate device comprisestransmitting the file to the delivery address.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the message comprises a user identifier identifying the user andsaid step of processing the message comprises using said user identifierto retrieve a previously stored delivery address, which delivery addressis associated with the user identifier, and the step of transmitting thefile to the separate device comprises transmitting the file to thedelivery address.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the user identifieris a personal identification number.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinthe message includes a delivery instruction indicating a deliverymethod.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step ofmaintaining at the remote system information associating each said twoor more remote devices with at least one user.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising the step of maintaining at the remote systeminformation associating said one remote device with said separatedevice.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of processing themessage includes determining whether the user is permitted to acquirethe item.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining stepincludes the step of accessing payment information associated with theuser using a user identifier associated with the user.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the user identifier is included in the messagetransmitted to the remote system.
 11. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid remote device maintains a set of previously broadcasted informationfor a predetermined period of time.
 12. The method of claim 1, whereinthe information is simultaneously transmitted using a cable televisionnetwork.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the information issimultaneously transmitted using an IP enabled transmission network. 14.The method of claim 1, wherein the information is simultaneouslytransmitted using a wireless communication network.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the file containing the itemfrom the remote system to the separate device comprises transmitting thefile immediately after processing the message.
 16. The method of claim1, wherein the step of transmitting the file containing the item fromthe remote system to the separate device comprises transmitting the filea later time after processing the message.
 17. The method of claim 1,wherein the step of transmitting the file containing the item from theremote system to the separate device comprises transmitting the file byelectronic mail.
 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the stepof transmitting the file containing the item from the remote system to athird device in response to processing the message, wherein the thirddevice is different than said separate device and said one remote devicethat transmitted the message to the remote system.
 19. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the separate device implements an e-mail server.